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Africa’s Global Bank, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, has officially flagged off its annual Customer Service Week for the year 2025, embracing the global theme ‘Mission: Possible’ to reaffirm its unwavering commitment to making the impossible possible for its customers across Africa and beyond.

Every year, Customer Service Week celebrates the vital role of service excellence and customer engagement, and UBA joins the rest of the world to mark this all-important event, given its Customer 1st philosophy which states that the customer at the forefront of all its activities.

This year’s theme resonates deeply with the bank’s vision of turning challenges into possibilities, consistently going beyond expectations to deliver innovative solutions for individuals, businesses, and communities.

Speaking on the launch, UBA’s Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Oliver Alawuba, said that the bank prides itself as customer-centric, and does all it can to ensure the satisfaction of its customers across all touchpoints.

He said: ‘As Africa’s global bank, we understand the unique challenges our customers face across different markets. That is why we are constantly investing in technology, people, and processes that make banking easier, faster, and more rewarding. This week is not just about celebrating our customers, but about renewing our pledge to make the impossible possible for them, because at UBA, we remain committed to not just meeting expectations; but we are also committed to exceeding them.’

Also speaking, UBA’s Group Head, Customer Experience, Michelle Nwoga, noted that this year, noted that this year’s celebration marks a renewed commitment to deepening the bank’s focus on customer satisfaction and doing even more to deliver value at every touch point.

‘At UBA, our mission is clear: to make the seemingly impossible possible for our customers. Whether it is enabling cross-border transactions in real time, ensuring seamless digital access to banking, or supporting small businesses to scale against the odds, we are committed to delivering service that transforms lives. This week is a celebration of that mission, and of the customers who inspire us to raise the bar every day,’ she noted.

UBA has a proven track record of turning ‘impossible missions’ into success stories. From being the first Pan-African bank to introduce uninterrupted 24/7 multilingual contact centres, to pioneering innovative digital banking solutions like Leo, the first AI-powered virtual banker in Africa, and facilitating cross-continental remittances for millions of Africans in the diaspora, the bank continues to break barriers in customer service.

As part of this year’s celebration, the bank is rolling out a series of mission-driven initiatives that go beyond banking including business series for Small and Medium Scale business owners, opportunities for their kids and wards to participate in the ongoing National Essay Competition for Senior Secondary Schools, and other financial literacy programs to equip them to navigate today’s economic realities.

United Bank for Africa Plc is a leading Pan-African financial institution, offering banking services to more than forty-five million customers, across 1,000 business offices and customer touch points in 20 African countries. With presence in New York, London, Paris and Dubai, UBA is connecting people and businesses across Africa through retail, commercial and corporate banking, innovative cross-border payments and remittances, trade finance and ancillary banking services.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ughelli North Local Government Area, Delta State, on Friday formally inaugurated its leadership council, with a vow to deliver President Bola Tinubu and Governor Sheriff Oborevwwori in the 2027 general elections.

The council has the party’s founding leader in the state, Olorogun O’tega Emerhor, as its Chairman; Chief Fred Majemite, first vice chairman; Chief Terry Noah, second vice chairman; Chief Festus Agas, Secretary; Chief Raphael Emecho, Assistant Secretary; Mr. George Oyefia, Organising Secretary; Chief Roland Odeni, Assistant Organizing Secretary; Sir Festus Ahon, Publicity Secretary; David Edjukonemu and Chief Adjode Prosper, Ex-Officios.

Also inaugurated were the Finance and Fundraising Committee with Stella Okotete as Chairperson and Mr. Kelly Oghenekevwe as Secretary, as well as the Elders Committee chaired by Prof. Samuel Ibodje.

Speaking at Evwreni, venue of the inauguration, Emerhor urged members to regard the council as a focal point for mobilisation.

He said: ‘See, if you are not here, you are not a politician, you really are not. I have not seen, for a very long time in this dispensation, a gathering of this caliber of persons. I have been involved in political battles and elections since 1999, and looking around this place today, I know we are prepared and ready to go to battle. I don’t see any reason to be worried.

‘We are ready and prepared physically. We are ready and prepared financially. We are also ready and prepared spiritually. I didn’t do anything extraordinary to stand up for the APC; it is neutral for a more progressive agenda. I think His Excellency the President and our government can go to rest; there is no fear in Ughelli North. We are prepared and ready.’

Chairman of Ughelli North Local Government Area, Olorogun Jaro Egbo, warned against indiscipline within the party.

He cautioned: ‘If some people are here and think they are bigger than the party, let me be clear: the party is too big to wait for anybody. The president was very empathetic, he said, ‘Go and work with these people.’ We are ready to work together.’

Also speaking, Professor Samuel Ibodje and Morrison Olori advised party leaders to focus on inclusion, stressing that no member should be disregarded or undermined.

The council was inaugurated by Honourable Matthew Omonade, the lawmaker representing Ughelli North Constituency I in the Delta State House of Assembly.

Seplat Energy says that domestic gas remains the engine of prosperity for Nigeria and Africa in general, from powering homes, to fuelling industry and providing a cleaner alternative for cooking and transportation.

This, the company said, informed its decision to invest heavily in gas processing capacity devoted to the domestic market, including the ANOH gas plant which is expected to come on stream before the end of the year.

The Director, New Energy at Seplat, Mr. Okechukwu Mba, said this at the 2025 Africa Energy Week (AEW) held in Cape Town, South Africa.

Mba, who spoke during a panel discussion titled ‘Beyond Exports: Developing Commercially Viable Domestic Gas Markets’, said stakeholders need to ensure that the challenges in the gas-to-power value chain from molecules at the wellhead to electrons in homes are addressed for Nigeria to realize the goal of increased power supply to Nigerians.

He also emphasised the importance of a commercially viable power sector which is critical to achieving growth in the domestic gas market.

He said: ‘Bankable anchor customers are needed to underpin the development of new gas projects whilst identifying infrastructural challenges in power transmission and distribution as well as the liquidity crises in the power sector as two areas that require urgent attention in order to unlock new gas projects.

Mba highlighted that Seplat Energy currently supplies gas to five power stations in Nigeria which underscores its commitment to the power sector, noting that gas is well positioned to provide reliable and affordable base load energy to drive to economic growth.

According to Mba, Seplat Energy adopted a comprehensive approach to growing the domestic gas market.

‘Beside investments in pipeline gas projects, Seplat is also investing in Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) facilities,’ he added.

In addition to the significant volumes of butane now supplied to the domestic market from its NGL plant in Bonny River Terminal, Seplat Energy also intends to commence delivery of LPG from its Sapele and ANOH gas plants before the end of the year.

This, Mba said, would make Seplat Energy one of the leading suppliers of LPG, displacing biomass and providing a cleaner cooking fuel that will improve the health and living conditions of Nigerians.

He added that Seplat Energy’s investment into CNG was to make gas available to customers not currently connected to the domestic gas pipeline network.

The New Energy boss at Seplat stated that the company plans to take its operated gas production to over 1 Bcf/d by 2030, while noting that the recent incentives granted by government to the gas sector will aid the achievement of this goal.

In a related development, the Director External Affairs and Social Performance, Seplat Energy, Chioma Afe, who featured in a panel discussion dubbed ‘Bureaucracy or Bridge? Tailoring Global ESG Approaches for African Realities’, said in all the company’s moves in driving to drive access to reliable and affordable energy for Nigerians, ESG fundamentals are strongly upheld and practicalised.

According to her, the peculiarities of the Nigerian people and Africa at large remain very germane in implementing Seplat Energy’s ESG framework and affirming its commitments.

She said: ‘For a truly successful and impactful ESG implementation, it is highly imperative to move from a ‘one size fits all’ mindset to a co-created framework and implementation that is focused on value creation and empowers African nations to define their own sustainable growth plan. One that ensures ESG principles become a bridge across industries and countries, driving growth and not a bureaucratic exercise.’

‘Adapting ESG to local needs is key. Therefore, we should explore customizing global ESG frameworks to address the unique socio-economic conditions, developmental challenges, including infrastructure, education and healthcare, as well as vulnerabilities to climate change and economic empowerment, across the continent.’

Speaking to the company’s model, she noted that: ‘At Seplat Energy, our approach has been a regular and systematic process of identifying and analyzing the development ‘gaps’ in our areas of operation and partnering with our communities to define project goals, prioritize resources and develop effective strategies to achieve them.’

AIICO Insurance Plc has once again reaffirmed its leadership in Nigeria’s insurance industry, clinching the coveted title of Outstanding Insurance Company of the Year at the 2025 Marketing Edge Brands and Advertising Excellence Awards held in Lagos.

The honour marks the third consecutive year of recognition for the insurer at the prestigious event, underscoring its consistency, innovation, and enduring impact on the Nigerian financial services landscape.

In 2023, AIICO was named Insurance Company of the Decade, followed by another top industry honour in 2024, before being crowned this year’s Outstanding Insurance Company of the Year.

According to the award organisers, AIICO’s selection was based on its outstanding performance, innovative solutions, and long-standing contributions to the sector.

Speaking on the recognition, Mr. Segun Olalandu, Head of Marketing and Communications at AIICO Insurance Plc, said:

‘We sincerely thank the organizers of the Marketing Edge Awards for consistently recognising and honouring the AIICO brand over the years.

This recognition affirms our strength and relevance in the marketplace. At AIICO, we remain intentional about delighting our customers, meeting their needs, and surpassing their expectations with innovative solutions and superior service.’

With over 60 years of service, AIICO Insurance has built a strong reputation as a trusted composite insurer, providing life and general insurance, health insurance, and investment management services.

Founded in 1963, the company continues to create and protect wealth for individuals, families, and corporate organisations, making it one of the most enduring and customer-focused brands in Nigeria’s insurance sector.

This latest recognition further cements AIICO’s reputation as a market leader and a brand of choice, setting the benchmark for service excellence and innovation in the Nigerian insurance industry.

President Bola Tinubu has lauded the infrastructural strides of Edo State governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, particularly the ongoing construction of the state’s first-ever flyover bridge, describing it as a landmark intervention in easing urban traffic and modernising Edo’s transport system.

The president extolled the governor’s foresight in embarking on the one-kilometre flyover project at Ikpoba Hill in Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area, noting that its completion would transform vehicular movement and strengthen the urban fabric of Benin, the state capital.

Tinubu praised Okpebholo’s early performance in office, affirming that the governor had set a new standard of governance in the state.

The president, represented by the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, stressed that the governor’s bold approach to road and bridge construction in the state underscores the All Progressives Congress’ (APC) progressive agenda.

‘This is a 24-span structure, each span measuring 20 meters, amounting to a one-kilometre bridge. The quality and pace of work are impressive. Edo State is witnessing a first, and I believe more such projects should follow in Benin to address the heavy traffic,’ Umahi conveyed on behalf of the president.

The minister contrasted the efficiency of state-driven projects with some federal contracts, lamenting that contractors often display greater discipline when working under governors than when handling federal assignments.

He pledged to enforce stricter accountability standards at the federal level to ensure value for money and timely delivery.

‘I commend Okpebholo for insisting on concrete technology. Roads built with reinforced concrete last 50 to 100 years, saving scarce resources. Nigeria cannot continue to spend on recurring reconstruction. We must invest in durability,’ Umahi stressed.

Describing Okpebholo as ‘a man of courage, destiny, and vision,’ the president applauded the governor’s interventions on federal road corridors in the state. He noted that such leadership reflects not only political will, but also a commitment to the welfare of the people.

Okpebholo, visibly elated, expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for his support to Edo State, crediting the president’s encouragement as a key factor behind his administration’s early successes.

‘We are succeeding because of the president’s backing. His DNA of progressive leadership flows in us. I cannot sleep without thinking of what to do for my people. We will continue to embark on projects that directly improve the lives of Edo citizens,’ the governor said.

Okpebholo admitted that Edo’s infrastructure had suffered years of neglect, with many roads washed away and institutions weakened. He, however, pledged to rebuild with renewed zeal, assembling teams with the knowledge and dedication to restore Edo’s pride.

In a rare bipartisan endorsement, a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain, Segun Sowunmi, also commended the governor’s performance, noting that transformative governance transcends party lines.

‘When Edo people are happy, Nigerians are happy. Development must proceed state-by-state to truly reform the country,’ Sowunmi said.

The SERAS Africa CSR and Sustainability Awards, the continent’s longest-running and most prestigious sustainability recognition platform, has officially closed entries for its 19th edition, attracting a record 325 applications from organizations across Africa.

This milestone underscores the growing relevance of sustainability as a driver of innovation, responsible business, and inclusive growth across the continent. Since its inception in 2007, The SERAS has consistently set the benchmark for corporate social responsibility and sustainability excellence in Africa, and the 2025 cycle promises to be the most competitive yet.

Themed ‘Sustainability 2.0: Innovating for Impact and Inclusive Growth’, this year’s edition will spotlight organizations and leaders who are pushing the boundaries of creativity, technology, and strategy to deliver measurable impact in their communities and industries.

The Awards Ceremony will hold on Saturday, November 29, 2025, at the Grand Ballroom, Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria.

The night will bring together Africa’s leading businesses, policy influencers, thought leaders, and changemakers to celebrate excellence and inspire the next wave of responsible business leadership.

Ahead of the ceremony, field verification exercises are set to commence on 8th -30th of October in East, West, and Southern Africa, where independent assessors will visit project sites and engage stakeholders to validate claims made in the entries.

This rigorous process ensures the credibility and integrity that has made The SERAS the gold standard of sustainability awards in Africa.

‘This year’s record-breaking entry level is a testament to how far the sustainability movement has come in Africa. It shows that businesses, governments, and non-profits are no longer seeing sustainability as a side initiative, but as a central pillar of growth, competitiveness, and legacy,’ said Ken Egbas, Founder, The SERAS CSR Awards Africa.

The 19th edition also marks the countdown to the SERAS’ 20th anniversary in 2026, when the Hall of Fame will be unveiled to recognize: Africa’s 100 Most Sustainable Organizations, Africa’s 50 Top Sustainability Professionals, Africa’s Top 100 Not-for-Profits (SDG 100), and Africa’s 50 Sustainability Changemakers (Institutional Leaders and CEOs).

Prudential Zenith Life Insurance Limited has announced its audited 2024 financial results, approved by the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM), showing exceptional growth and a capital buffer that surpasses the new regulatory requirement by ?19.3 billion.

The company reported a 21% rise in profit after tax to ?7.4 billion, up from ?6.1 billion in 2023, while total assets expanded by 29.5% to ?82.0 billion, driven largely by a 29.6% increase in financial assets.

Shareholders’ equity climbed 32.2% to ?30.5 billion, supported by a 51.8% jump in retained earnings to ?19.5 billion.

With its solvency margin strengthening by 28.3% to ?29.3 billion, Prudential Zenith Life has achieved a surplus of ?19.3 billion above the ?10 billion minimum capital requirement effective July 31, 2025.

Insurance contract liabilities also grew by 29.7%, accounting for 95.4% of total liabilities, reflecting the company’s expanding underwriting strength and customer base.

Commenting on the performance, Ms. Funmi Omo, Chief Executive Officer of Prudential Zenith Life, said, ‘Our 2024 results are a testament to our financial resilience and commitment to excellence. Delivering a 21% profit increase while maintaining a capital surplus nearly double the regulatory requirement underscores our discipline, foresight, and strategic focus. The ?19.3 billion buffer empowers us to innovate, expand, and deliver greater value to our customers and shareholders as we enter our next phase of growth.’

Prudential Zenith Life’s strong performance reinforces its mission to secure the financial future of its customers through innovative insurance products.

Its capital strength provides strategic flexibility to broaden offerings, invest in technology, and sustain long-term value creation.

The company, now a wholly-owned subsidiary of Prudential plc following a full acquisition in September 2024, ranks among the most capitalised insurers in Nigeria.

It offers a wide range of individual solutions, including savings and investment-linked products, endowment, and protection plans as well as corporate products such as Group Life, Key-Man Assurance, Credit Life, School Fees Protection, and Mortgage Protection.

Prudential plc, its parent company, is a global leader in life and health insurance and asset management, with dual primary listings on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange and London Stock Exchange, and secondary listings in Singapore and New York.

With its solid 2024 performance, Prudential Zenith Life is positioned for continued growth, strengthened competitiveness, and deeper contributions to Nigeria’s insurance sector.

The Board of Stanbic IBTC Holdings PLC has announced the appointment of Mr. Chukwuma Nwokocha as the substantive Group Chief Executive, with effect from 02 October 2025, following the receipt of all required regulatory approvals.

Mr. Nwokocha’s appointment follows the completion of Dr Adekunle Adedeji’s tenure as Acting Chief Executive, during which time the Board undertook a formal appointment process in accordance with regulatory requirements. Dr Adedeji will continue in his role as Executive Director/Chief Finance and Value Management Officer of the Company.

Commenting on the development, Mrs Sola David-Borha, the Chairman of the Company, expressed the Board’s delight at Mr Nwokocha’s appointment, highlighting his strong track record in board governance, financial oversight, strategic transformation as well as regulatory engagement.

The Chairman also extended the Board’s deep appreciation to Dr Adedeji for his exemplary leadership and dedication; and for steering the affairs of the Company and Group during the transition period: ‘It is worthy of mention that under Dr Adedeji’s leadership, the Group recorded its best financial performance since inception. The Group also successfully completed its Rights Issue Programme which ensured that its banking subsidiary met the Central Bank of Nigeria’s recapitalization requirements ahead of the 31 March 2026 deadline.

A call to action has been made by Comrade George Tamaragbabrapa Mulade-Sheriff, an undergraduate student and advocate for peace, to address the escalating tensions among the Urhobo, Itsekiri, and Ijaw communities in the Warri Federal Constituency of Delta State.

The tensions, which have been fueled by recent incidents, pose a significant threat to the region’s stability and peace.

The Warri Federal Constituency has a history of ethnic tensions, dating back to the colonial era and post-independence, when arbitrary political decisions redefined traditional boundaries and interests.

The Warri crisis of the mid-1990s, which saw clashes between the Itsekiri and Ijaw communities over land and resource control, is a notable example.

Despite efforts at peace-building, these tensions have persisted, often triggered by local elections, resource allocation, and political power struggles.

The current tensions are attributed to factors such as: Political Power Struggles – contentious distribution of political power, with each ethnic group feeling marginalised and accusing the others of electoral fraud and imbalanced representation; resource Control and Ownership – disputes over oil and natural gas resources, with each community claiming rights over revenue and land; and cultural and Identity Disputes-deep-seated cultural and historical grievances, often manipulated by politicians for electoral advantage.

If these tensions continue to escalate, the consequences could be dire, including humanitarian crises, economic disruption, and security challenges. The social fabric of Warri and its neighboring areas could unravel, leading to loss of life, displacement, and destruction of property.

I call for swift and comprehensive action from both the state and federal governments, as well as community leaders, to de-escalate the situation and establish long-term peace.

This can be achieved through:

Inclusive Dialogue Platform: Initiating a multi-stakeholder dialogue to air grievances and find common ground.

Power Sharing Agreement: Ensuring fair representation of all ethnic groups in political offices and resource distribution.

Security Measures: Deploying security forces while prioritizing community trust and confidence-building measures.

Public Awareness and Education: Promoting unity, tolerance, and understanding among ethnic groups through public sensitization campaigns.

According to the undergraduate, the stability of Warri is crucial not only for Delta State but for Nigeria as a whole, saying that it is imperative that all stakeholders act swiftly and in concert to prevent further violence and restore peace and stability to the region.

Nigeria’s insurance industry is preparing to host about 250 local and international delegates at the 2025 West Africa Insurance Companies Association (WAICA) Education Conference, scheduled to hold from October 12th to 15th, 2025, in Lagos.

Organised by the Nigerian Insurers Association (NIA), this year’s conference will focus on the theme, ‘The West African Insurer in the Face of Climate Change.’

The event is expected to bring together insurance practitioners, regulators, policymakers, and thought leaders from across the sub-region, including Nigeria, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Liberia, and The Gambia.

The conference aims to serve as a strategic platform for knowledge exchange and collaboration on the challenges climate change poses to insurance practice in Africa.

Stakeholders will deliberate on how extreme weather events, flooding, drought, and agricultural disruptions, challenges to which Africa is uniquely vulnerable, are driving up claims and risk exposures, and how insurers can respond with innovative products, risk management solutions, and resilience strategies.

Highlighting the importance of the gathering, the Minister of State, Ministry of Finance, Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite, will deliver the keynote address at the opening ceremony while the Commissioner for Insurance, Mr. Olusegun Omosehin, will serve as Chief Host of the event.

The Local Organising Committee has assembled a distinguished lineup of speakers, including Dr. Abiba Zakaria, Acting Commissioner of Insurance, Ghana; Mr. Wole Oshin, Group Managing Director, Custodian Investment Plc; Mr. Bockarie Kaloko, Deputy Minister of Finance, Sierra Leone; and Ms. Tola Adegbayi, Managing Director/CEO, Mutual Specialist.

Panel sessions will be chaired by respected industry veterans, including former Commissioners for Insurance, Mr. Sunday Thomas and Alhaji Mohammed Kari, as well as Ms. Olamipo Adeola, Head of Corporate Communication and Branding at Scib Nigeria and Co. Ltd.

Conference highlights include a Cocktail Welcome Reception at the Insurers House, Victoria Island, a Monday evening soirée sponsored by Africa Reinsurance Corporation at Eko Hotel and Suites; and a closing dinner, sponsored by WAICA Reinsurance Corporation.

Delegates will also have the opportunity to tour select cultural and tourist sites in Lagos before departure.

The choice of Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial hub and one of Africa’s leading megacities, underscores the city’s strategic importance as a financial centre and a melting pot of culture, commerce, and hospitality.

Organisers have assured participants of seamless logistics, including transportation and security arrangements.

With its focus on climate resilience and sustainable insurance practices, the 2025 WAICA Education Conference is set to be a landmark event, reinforcing regional cooperation while showcasing Lagos as a dynamic hub for continental dialogue and collaboration.